There are basically three types of men's swimwear. Board shorts, swim trunks, and swim shorts. Each one is built for a different thing, and each one compromises somewhere. Board shorts are for surfing. Swim trunks are for the pool. Swim shorts sort of sit in between but nobody's really nailed them. There's a fourth option worth knowing about though.
What are board shorts?
Board shorts come from surfing. The name is literally from the surfboard. They're longer, sitting at or below the knee, with a fixed waistband and a lace-up drawstring. Most have 4-way stretch so you can move freely on a board, and they're pretty much always unlined because mesh liners restrict movement which obviously is not ideal when attempting to surf.
The fabric is smooth and strong. Quick-dry polyester or nylon blends, sometimes with a water-repellent coating. Performance board shorts from brands like Patagonia, Billabong, and Quiksilver can run up to $110 depending on what's in the fabric.
They're brilliant in the water. But walk into a bar wearing board shorts and you look like you've just come from a surf comp. The drawstring, the length, the sporty look. They don't cross over.
| Length |
At or below the knee |
| Waistband |
Fixed, non-elastic |
| Closure |
Drawcord + velcro |
| Stretch |
4-way stretch (usually) |
| Liner |
No |
| Best for |
Surfing, water sports |
| Limitation |
Look too sporty for anything else |
What are swim trunks?
Swim trunks are the shorter, more casual option. Elastic waistband, drawstring closure, mesh liner, sitting mid-thigh to just above the knee. They're what most blokes grab when they're heading to the pool or the beach.
At the luxury end you've got brands like Orlebar Brown and Vilebrequin. Orlebar Brown's Bulldog trunk runs over $300 and is built like a pair of suit trousers. Vilebrequin's been handcrafting them in the south of France since 1971. They look sharp, but you're paying for it.
On the other end, you've got the $20 pairs from department stores that fall apart after a couple of wears. Mesh liner bunches up, elastic goes, fabric clings when wet.
The problem with trunks is they look like swimwear. Even the expensive ones. You can spot them from across the room.
| Length |
Mid-thigh to above knee |
| Waistband |
Elastic |
| Closure |
Drawstring |
| Stretch |
Varies |
| Liner |
Yes (mesh) |
| Best for |
Pool, beach, casual swim |
| Limitation |
Obviously swimwear, mesh liner |
What are swim shorts?
Swim shorts are the loosely defined middle ground. Longer than trunks, shorter than board shorts. Elastic waistband with a drawstring, and most come with a mesh liner.
This is where brands get creative with prints and designs. You'll find some interesting patterns and colours. But the construction is pretty much the same as trunks, just longer. The waistband is still elastic, there's still a mesh liner, and they still look like something you'd wear at the beach and nowhere else.
Nobody's really owned this category because nobody's built swim shorts that genuinely work outside the water.
| Length |
Above the knee |
| Waistband |
Elastic |
| Closure |
Drawstring |
| Stretch |
Sometimes |
| Liner |
Yes (usually mesh) |
| Best for |
Casual beach days |
| Limitation |
Better prints, same construction problems |
So where do Berties sit?
We don't really fit into any of the three categories above. If you had to label it, you'd probably call us a hybrid, but that doesn't quite capture it either.
We took what works from each category and left behind the stuff that doesn't. The fabric is quick-dry and performs in the water like board shorts, but it holds its shape and looks like a proper pair of shorts when it's dry. Instead of drawstrings and elastic waistbands, we use a clasp and button closure with tightening buckles. The fit sits just on top of the knee. Comfortable, modern, not too long and not too short.
What actually makes them different from traditional swimwear:
- No mesh liner
- Closures that look like regular shorts, not drawstrings
- Fabric that holds its shape out of the water
- A fit you'd actually wear to lunch without thinking about it
We built them because we wanted one pair of shorts that could handle a whole day. Surf in the morning, lunch after, afternoon beers, dinner. Without looking like you're still in your swimmers.
Which type should you choose?
Depends on what you need them for.
| Performance surfing |
Board shorts. The stretch and length are purpose-built for it. |
| Pool days and casual beach |
Swim trunks. Simple, easy, does the job. |
| Something in between |
Swim shorts. But you're still in swimwear. |
| One pair that does everything |
Something like Berties. Beach, bar, lunch, travel. No compromises. |
The honest answer is that most blokes don't just go to the beach and come home. You swim, you dry off, you grab lunch, the afternoon turns into drinks. The day sort of evolves. And if your shorts can't keep up, you're either going home to change or sitting at a restaurant looking like you just came from the pool.
That's what hybrids solve. Not by being average at everything, but by being genuinely good in the water and genuinely good out of it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear board shorts as regular shorts?
You can, but they'll look like board shorts. The drawstring, the length below the knee, the sporty fabric. Hard to pass off as casual shorts. Running errands near the beach, sure. Dinner? Probably not.
Are swim trunks and swim shorts the same thing?
Not quite. Swim trunks are shorter (mid-thigh) with an elastic waistband and mesh liner. Swim shorts are longer (above the knee) and sit somewhere between trunks and board shorts. Brands use the terms interchangeably which makes it confusing.
What length should men's swim shorts be?
Depends on your build, but the modern sweet spot is just on top of the knee. Short enough to look current, long enough to be comfortable. The old below-the-knee surf look is pretty much done. The very short 5-inch inseam works for some blokes but it's not for everyone.
Do you need a liner in swim shorts?
No. Mesh liners bunch up, restrict movement, and most blokes find them uncomfortable by mid-afternoon. Quality swim shorts and hybrids skip the liner entirely. The fabric should be good enough on its own.
What's the difference between board shorts and hybrid shorts?
Board shorts are built for surfing. Fixed waistband, drawcord, long length, 4-way stretch. Hybrids take the water performance of board shorts but use closures like regular shorts (clasps, buttons, buckles), sit shorter, and are designed to look like normal shorts when you're out of the water.
Board Shorts vs Swim Trunks vs Swim Shorts: What's the Difference?
There are basically three types of men's swimwear. Board shorts, swim trunks, and swim shorts. Each one is built for a different thing, and each one compromises somewhere. Board shorts are for surfing. Swim trunks are for the pool. Swim shorts sort of sit in between but nobody's really nailed them. There's a fourth option worth knowing about though.
What are board shorts?
Board shorts come from surfing. The name is literally from the surfboard. They're longer, sitting at or below the knee, with a fixed waistband and a lace-up drawstring. Most have 4-way stretch so you can move freely on a board, and they're pretty much always unlined because mesh liners restrict movement which obviously is not ideal when attempting to surf.
The fabric is smooth and strong. Quick-dry polyester or nylon blends, sometimes with a water-repellent coating. Performance board shorts from brands like Patagonia, Billabong, and Quiksilver can run up to $110 depending on what's in the fabric.
They're brilliant in the water. But walk into a bar wearing board shorts and you look like you've just come from a surf comp. The drawstring, the length, the sporty look. They don't cross over.
What are swim trunks?
Swim trunks are the shorter, more casual option. Elastic waistband, drawstring closure, mesh liner, sitting mid-thigh to just above the knee. They're what most blokes grab when they're heading to the pool or the beach.
At the luxury end you've got brands like Orlebar Brown and Vilebrequin. Orlebar Brown's Bulldog trunk runs over $300 and is built like a pair of suit trousers. Vilebrequin's been handcrafting them in the south of France since 1971. They look sharp, but you're paying for it.
On the other end, you've got the $20 pairs from department stores that fall apart after a couple of wears. Mesh liner bunches up, elastic goes, fabric clings when wet.
The problem with trunks is they look like swimwear. Even the expensive ones. You can spot them from across the room.
What are swim shorts?
Swim shorts are the loosely defined middle ground. Longer than trunks, shorter than board shorts. Elastic waistband with a drawstring, and most come with a mesh liner.
This is where brands get creative with prints and designs. You'll find some interesting patterns and colours. But the construction is pretty much the same as trunks, just longer. The waistband is still elastic, there's still a mesh liner, and they still look like something you'd wear at the beach and nowhere else.
Nobody's really owned this category because nobody's built swim shorts that genuinely work outside the water.
So where do Berties sit?
We don't really fit into any of the three categories above. If you had to label it, you'd probably call us a hybrid, but that doesn't quite capture it either.
We took what works from each category and left behind the stuff that doesn't. The fabric is quick-dry and performs in the water like board shorts, but it holds its shape and looks like a proper pair of shorts when it's dry. Instead of drawstrings and elastic waistbands, we use a clasp and button closure with tightening buckles. The fit sits just on top of the knee. Comfortable, modern, not too long and not too short.
What actually makes them different from traditional swimwear:
We built them because we wanted one pair of shorts that could handle a whole day. Surf in the morning, lunch after, afternoon beers, dinner. Without looking like you're still in your swimmers.
Which type should you choose?
Depends on what you need them for.
The honest answer is that most blokes don't just go to the beach and come home. You swim, you dry off, you grab lunch, the afternoon turns into drinks. The day sort of evolves. And if your shorts can't keep up, you're either going home to change or sitting at a restaurant looking like you just came from the pool.
That's what hybrids solve. Not by being average at everything, but by being genuinely good in the water and genuinely good out of it.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear board shorts as regular shorts?
You can, but they'll look like board shorts. The drawstring, the length below the knee, the sporty fabric. Hard to pass off as casual shorts. Running errands near the beach, sure. Dinner? Probably not.
Are swim trunks and swim shorts the same thing?
Not quite. Swim trunks are shorter (mid-thigh) with an elastic waistband and mesh liner. Swim shorts are longer (above the knee) and sit somewhere between trunks and board shorts. Brands use the terms interchangeably which makes it confusing.
What length should men's swim shorts be?
Depends on your build, but the modern sweet spot is just on top of the knee. Short enough to look current, long enough to be comfortable. The old below-the-knee surf look is pretty much done. The very short 5-inch inseam works for some blokes but it's not for everyone.
Do you need a liner in swim shorts?
No. Mesh liners bunch up, restrict movement, and most blokes find them uncomfortable by mid-afternoon. Quality swim shorts and hybrids skip the liner entirely. The fabric should be good enough on its own.
What's the difference between board shorts and hybrid shorts?
Board shorts are built for surfing. Fixed waistband, drawcord, long length, 4-way stretch. Hybrids take the water performance of board shorts but use closures like regular shorts (clasps, buttons, buckles), sit shorter, and are designed to look like normal shorts when you're out of the water.